2018-2019 / BIOL1064-1

Behavioural primatology

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in psychology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Fany Brotcorne

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Evolution and diversity of current primates. Taxonomy, ecology, reproduction , behaviour and ontogenesis. Social structure, cooperation and competition, conflict regulation and resolution.
Socio-ecology and socio-biology of primates. Inter-specific interactions, conservation and management. Cognitive capacities in natural and captive environment.
Overview of ethometry methods applied to primates.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Emphasis on diversity in primates, from taxonomy, social structures and organizations, to cognitive capacities. Develop a comparative approach between primate species and between human and non-human primates. Realize a bibliographical synthesis on a chosen topic and oral presentation.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

General ethology

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

For the theoritical course: 10 sessions of 2 hours (Friday 14-16h in Q1).
For the pratical course: Readings of reference texts leading to writing and presentation of a thematic summary, attending the one-day Belgian group for Primatology meeting (13/11/2018) and Journée Faune in Gembloux (information pending), observation exercices and recording of primate behavioral data.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Theoretical lectures, seminars and field days.
(see section teaching methods)

Recommended or required readings

Slides powerpoint and scientific papers file.

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral exam: 50%. Synthesis and oral presentation: 35%
Training report : 15%

Work placement(s)

Training of ethological observation at Cologne Zoo (Germany) (information pending)
The students in psychology that are registered for the lectures of behavioural ecology and primatology - provided it remains availabilities - may remplace the practical activities of each of these teaching units by an integrated stage in ethometry, which usually takes place in Cologne zoo in Germany (around 3 days in October). Registration and payment need to be done in September as early as possible.
All detailed information is provided on the Ethology web site: http://labos.ulg.ac.be/etho/en/denoel/practicals/

Organizational remarks

One complete day will be needed for the BGP meeting and three consecutive days for the observational session that will take place in the Koln Zoo (Germany). Registration and payment need to be done in September as early as possible.

Contacts

Fany Brotcorne : fbrotcorne@uliege.be (04/366.51.12)